Apparatus for loading freight or the like



April 26, 1949. M, NAMPA- 2,468,101

APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKE Filed May 19, 1943 3Sheets-Sheet 1- INVENTOR 5a!) 2% Waxy '4 i Ev-@7433.

ATTORNEYU.

April 26, 1949. s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT OR THE LIKEFiled May 19, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5ZZa )7: i

ATTORNEE:

-April 26, 1949. s. M. NAMPA APPARATUS FOR LOAQING FREIGHT OR THE LIKEFiled May 19, 1-943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 L V/ A VV/w/ /p7/ w /////q w/ p 6 4a i M. 4 5

Patented Apr. 26, 1949 APPARATUS FOR LOADING FREIGHT on THE LIKE Sulo M.Nampa, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Evans Products Company, Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application May 19, 1943, Serial No.487,594

The present invention relates to improved loading apparatus for holdingfreight articles of different types in vehicles or storage spaces and,more particularly, to improved equipment of this nature having certainparts which are built into or combined with a vehicle, such as a railwayfreight car, or other storage space, and having certain other partswhich are adjustably and variously cooperable with the built-in parts,the several parts of the equipment cooperating to hold (that is, forexample, to brace, support or carry, space, wedge, or provide shelves,partitions, or bins for) a wide variety of freight articles. The presentinvention is a modification of the loading arrangement described andclaimed in applicants now abandoned copending application, Serial No.434,357, filed March 12, 1942, a continuation thereof, Serial No.740,330, having been filed April 9, 1947.

Applicant's above-identified application discloses and claims certainfeatures of a loading organization which, as specifically disclosed,comprises two series of upright supporting members arranged at therespectively opposite sides of, and permanently secured to, a freightcar; wall members which are adjustably and removably supported by theuprights; and cross members which are disposed to be supported atthelrends by wall members at the opposite sides of the car, so that the crossmembers extend across the car.

8 Claims. (Cl. 105--369) The cross members may be used to form or tosupport bulkheads, to form or support decking arrangements, to supportcooperating upright and horizontal members utilized to subdivide thestorage space longitudinally, as well as for a variety of otherpurposes, all as set forth with greater particularity in the parentapplication.

In its preferred and herein disclosed form, the present arrangement alsoemploys two series of upright, bay defining members, arranged atrespectively opposite sides of the car, and further employs adjustablebay members which are supported by the uprights, and adjustable crossmembers which are supported by the bay members. In the practice of thepresent invention, however, as distinguished from the copendingarrangement, the side bay members, although adjustable lengthwise of thecooperating uprights, are not removable therefrom; and the crossmembers, though adjustable lengthwise of the associated bay members, arenot removable therefrom. The arrangement issuch that when the baymembers and cross members are not in use, they may be convenientlyarranged in stacked relation in an out of the way position adjacent sideelevation, the end portion of the roof of the associated car or otherstorage space. When so stacked, the bay members are supported by theuprights, and the cross members are supported by the bay members. Itwill be appreciated that the feature of permanently applying the crossmembers to the bay members and, in turn, permanently applying the baymembers to the uprights, obviates any possibility of loss of thesemembers.

With the foregoing as well as other considerations in view, theprincipal objects of the present invention are to provide improvedfreight loading arrangements, which are simple in construction, sturdy,low in cost and in weight, and reliable and. efficient in operation; toprovide improved loading elements for use in such arrangements; toprovide such arrangements embodying bay defining upright members whichmay be and preferably are permanently secured to the car or otherstorage structure in spaced relation, and which uprights adjustably butnonremovably support bay members, the bay members being adjustablelengthwise of the uprights, and each bay member having its respectiveends supported by adjacent uprights; to provide such arrangementscomprising cross members which may, for example, span the car or otherstorage space, and which have their ends adjustably but non-removablysupported by corresponding bay members arranged at the respectivelyopposite sides of the car or other storage space; and to generallyimprove and simplify the construction and arrangement of freight loadingapparatus.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention appear in the followingdescription and in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which show a preferred but illustrative embodiment ofthe invention, and throughout the several views of which correspondingreference characters are used to designate corresponding parts Figure lis a general view in perspective of a freight holding arrangementembodying the invention and which is built into one end of an otherwiseconventional freight car structure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFiezZ;

Fig. 4 is a detail view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and showing,in plan, end portions of a pair of successive bay members;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view, showing, in one of the bay membersof Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, taken along the line6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an end view of one of the channel- 'shaped bay members, shownseparated from its cooperating upright members;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in vertical section, taken along the line8-3 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 isa fragmentary view, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 6.

It will be appreciated from-a complete understanding of the presentinvention,'that the improvements thereof may, in a generic sense, beembodied in or used with a wide variety of freight holding systems, and'may also partake of various different constructions. The disclosureherein of a particular embodiment of the invention, applied to a railwayfreight car, is, consequently, to be regarded in an illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative freight car is shown ascomprising a usual floor structure 20, double side wall panels 22 and aroof structure 24. In accordance with the present invention, theinterior of the car is provided, at the respectively opposite sidesthereof, with two similar aligned series of upright members 26.These'members may be and preferably are rolled steel sections, ofsufficiently heavy gauge to not only adequately support the hereinafterdescribed cooperating loading elements, butto also reinforce the carstructure as a whole, and provide a wall structure for the car ofsuiiicient strength to sustain the weight of freight articles disposedin decked relation in the car. As will be understood, these uprightmembers may be directly secured-to the usual side wall posts of the car,or, if the spacing between such posts is not suitable, the uprights 26may be directly secured to the floor and roof structures, or to suchother parts of the structure as will afford an adequate anchoragetherefor. In certain of the claims, the uprights are referred to as.forming part of the wall structure, which phrase is employed togenerically refer to various relationships in which, for example, suchuprights constitute the car primary wall frame members or in which suchuprights are associated with other wall members in a reinforcing manner.

As shown, the uprights are of I-section, with the webs 26a thereofextending normal to the freely be moved from one end of the bay memberto the other. The respective ends of each bay member 28 are slotted toreceive the U-shaped inserts 33, the legs whereof embrace thecorresponding upright flanges 26b, as is most clearly shown in Fig. 4.The lengths of the inserts 33 are shown as being slightly in'excess ofthe spacing between the flanges of the bay members 28 and these insertsmay conveniently be secured in place by-welding them at, for example,the points 33a. The inserts 33 and the webs of the bay members 28 areprovided with aligned openings 36 ofv approximately the same size as theopenings 39 and, as shown, the connection between the bay members andthe upright members is effected by means of removable pins 33, which maybe projected through the openings 36 and 30. If desired, positiveholding means may be provided to hold the pins 38 in place. As shown,the bay members 28 are provided with detents 40, which yieldablycooperate with the pins 38 to hold them in place. As is also shown, eachpin 38 is secured to its associated bay member 28 by means of a flexibleconnection, such as a chain 42, so as to prevent loss of the pins.

It will be noticed that the relatively long inserts 33 afford bearingsurfaces, for engagement with the respectively opposite faces of theassociated uprights 26, which are vertically spaced from each othersumciently to minimize any tendency of the bay members to cant (about alongitudinal axis) durin adjustment from one position to another.Moreover, since the members 33 continuously embrace the members 26, theoperator is required only to apply the force needed to effect thevertical movement of the bay member, and is not required to exercisecare in seeing to it that the ends of the bay member do not move out ofalignment with the corresponding members 26. 7

As will be understood, the cross members 34 may be variously used asbulkheads, to form or support decking, or forother purposes and, in

planes of the car walls, and with the flanges f parallel to the carwalls. In order to adapt the uprights 26 to adjustably support thehereinafter described bay members 28, the outer flanges 26b of theuprights 26 are provided, preferably throughout their entire length,with a series of closely-spaced holding members, constituted by openings30.

It will be noted that adjacent pairs of uprights 26, at one side of thecar, define a series of bays at such side, and that corresponding pairsof uprights at the opposite side of the car define a similar and alignedseries of bays.

Each bay at each side of the car is provided with a series of baymembers 28, which, as hereinafter described, are freely adjustablevertically of the corresponding bay. Generically, the members 28 may beremovable or separable from the uprights, but, preferably, and as shown,they are not removable therefrom. The individual bay members 28 may beand preferably are formed of a single length of channeled stock, havingthe inwardlyturned auxiliary flanges 28a, which define between them aspace through which the neck 32 of an associated cross member 34 may iiithe broader aspects of the invention, the load engaging portions ofthese cross members may be variously constructed. In the presentillustrative instance, each cross member 34 comprises a main bodyportion formed of planking and a pair of end heads 44, which cooperatewith the bay members 28 atthe respectively opposite sides of the car.

Each head 44 comprises a box-like end portion 45 and a generally tubularportion 46, which portions are joined together by thepreviouslymentioned reduced neck 32. The end portion 45 fits over theend of the cross member 34 and is secured in place by a stud 48. Ifdesired, as will be understood, the cross members may embody theextensible I feature described and claimed in applicants copendingapplication, Serial No. 469,719, filed Dec-ember 21, 1942.

It will be noticed that the circumferentially distributed openings 59enable the cross members 34 to .be secured in place relative to the baymembers in any of a plurality of rotative positions, as moreparticularly shown in Fig. 2. If a further relative adjustment Of thebody of the cross member, after the just-mentioned securement, isneeded, the rocking feature of said application Serial No. 469,719 maybe used.-

As in the case of the bay members and uprights, the cross members may,generically, be removable or separable from the bay members. Preferablyand as shown, however, they are not so removable and it will beunderstood that in therebetween,

erecting the present freight loading arrangements, each pair of baymembers, arranged at opposite sides of the car, may be provided with oneor more cross members, which cross mem bers are applied thereto bypassing the end portions 46 in through the ends of the channeledbaymembers 28 prior to the application of the final inserts 34 to suchbay members. Further, a. plurality of subassemblies, each comprising apair of bay members associated with the opposite sides of the car andone or more spanning lines in Fig. 3. Preparatory to this stackingoperation, it is preferred to arrange the cross members 34 with theirwidest dimension disposed horizontally, thus minimizing the requiredstacking space.

It will be noticed that the cross members may be slid along the baymembers in eiiecting-the adjustments thereof, and that alternatively, byvirtue of the cylindrical form of the head portions 46, such adjustmentmay be effected by rolling the cross members alon the bay members. Ineach case, a final take-up or wedging movement can be effected by theuse of a wedging tool, in the manner described in the copendingapplication Serial No. 434,357; and follow ing the wedging movement, thecross member may be locked in place by the pins 52. 'As'in the copendingarrangement, the cross members are continuously supported, duringadjustment, by the bay members, thus relieving the operator of theweight thereof.

Itis believed that various methods of utilizing the present'loadingelements will be apparent. By way of example, however, it is noted thatin Fig. 1, two tiers of freight articles a and b are shown as occupyingthe bay at the extreme end of the car. The articles 12 are disposeddirectly on the floor of the car and are Se, cured in place by a cross'member 34, which is arranged with its wider dimension vertical, Thiscross member thus functions as a. bulkhead to retain the articles b inplace. As further shown, the upper tier of articles a is supported on adeck constituted by a pair of cross members 34, only one of whichappears in the figure. In this instance, the cross members 34 arearranged withtheir wider dimensions horizontal, so as to aifor-d anample decking area; In turn, the articles a are secured in place by aseries of three cross members 34,which function as bulkheads.

It will be noted that bay members 28 associated with successive bays maybe arranged at the same elevation, so that cross members arranged asdecking members, afiord a substantially continuous deck, extendingthroughout as many successive bays as is desired.

It is further to be noted that the relatively closelyv arrangedopenings-30 enable a relatively fine adjustment of the verticalpositioning of the bay members, and that the "closely arranged openings54 afford a corresponding fine adjustment of the positions of thecrossmem-bers along the corresponding bay members.

Although only a single specific embodiment of the invention has beendescribed in detail, it will be appreciated that various furthermodifications in the form, number and arrangement of the parts may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

- What is claimed is: r

1. In a freight loading system for a" freight car or other chamber, thecombinatiohflof a pairof uprights arranged along one wall of the chamberin spaced relation toeachother, a second" pair of uprights similarlyspaced from each other and arranged along an opposite wall of thechamber in aligned relation to the first pair, a loading memberextending between and individual to I each pair of, uprights, retainingmeans including means on the uprights and on the members forinterengageme'nt with each other so as to support the members in any ofa plurality of adjusted positions spaced lengthwise of the correspondinguprights, said retaining'mans constituting the sole vertical supportingconnection between said uprights and said members and being in partmovable relative to-said uprights and said members to retractedpositions in which said retaining means is inefi'ective to give saidvertical support, restraining means for enabling movement of the membersbetween such positions when said part of said retaining means isretracted but preventing separation of the members from thecorresponding uprights, and a holding member supported by and adjustablealong, but not removable from, said loading members.

2. In a freight loading system for a freight car or other chamber, thecombination of a pair of uprights arranged along one wall of the chamberin spaced relation to each other, a loading member extending betweensaid uprights, retaining means including means on the uprights and onthe member for interengagement with each other so as to support themember in any of a plurality of positions spaced lengthwise of theuprights,

said retaining means constituting the sole vertical supportingconnection between said uprights and said members and being in partmovable relative to said uprights and said members to retractedpositions in which saidretaining. means is inefiective to give saidvertical support, restraining means for enabling movement of the memberbetween such positions when said part of said retaining means isretracted but preventa ing separation of the member from the uprights,

said member comprising an outwardly presenting channel portion whichforms a guideway to support freight holding means with which the memberis associated.

3. In a freight loading system for a ireight car or other chamber, thecombination of a pair of uprights arranged along one Wall of the chamberin spaced relation to each other, a loading meme ber extending betweensaid uprights, retaining,

means including means on the uprights and on the member forinterengagement with each other so as to support the member in any of aplurality of positions spaced lengthwise of the uprights,

said retaining means constituting the sole vertical supportingconnecting between said uprights and said members and being in partmovable relative to said uprights and said members to re tractedpositions in which said retaining means is ineffective to give saidvertical support, re-

straining means for enabling movement of, the

part of said retaining means is retracted but preventing separation ofthe member from the uprights,

said member comprising an outwardly presenting channel portion whichforms a guideway to support freight holding means with which the memberis associated. and said member having holding elements distributed alongits length to secure said freight holding means in a desired positiontherealong.

4. in a freight loading system for a freight car or other chamber, thecombination of a pair of uprights arranged along one wall of the chamberin spaced relation to each other, a second pair of uprights similarlyspaced from each other and arranged along an opposite wall of thechamber in aligned relation to the first pair, a loading memberextending between and individual to each pair of uprights, meansincluding means on the uprights and on the members for interengagementwith each other so as to support the members in any of a plurality ofadjusted positions spaced lengthwise of the corresponding members,restraining means for enabling movement of the members between suchpositions but preventing separation of the members from thecorresponding uprights, said loading members each including an outwardlypresenting channel portion which forms a guideway, and a holding memberhaving heads adjacent its ends wholly received in said channel portions,said heads being adjustable along said channel portions but not beingremovable therefrom.

5. In a freight loading system for a freight car or other chamber, thecombination of a pair of uprights arranged along one wall of the chamberin spaced relation to each other, said uprights having opposed flangeslying in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall, a loading memberextending between and supported by said uprights, retaining meansincluding means on the uprights and on the member for interengagementwith each other so as to support the member in any of a plurality ofadjusted positions spaced lengthwise of the uprights, said retainingmeans constituting the sole vertical supporting connection between saiduprights and said member and being in part movable relative to saiduprights and said member to retracted positions in which said retainingmeans is ineffective to give said vertical support; said loading memberhaving complemental recesses in its end portions which embrace the saidflanges, said embracing relation preventing removal of the loadingmember from the uprights, while permitting vertical adjusting movementsof the member along the uprights and means including means on saiduprights and on said member for securing the member to the uprights indesired positions of adjustment therealong.

6. In a freight loading system for a freight car or other chamber, thecombination of supporting members adjustably arranged adjacentrespectively opposite walls of the chamber for adjustsupporting members,said holding member havin extending along the lengths thereof,respectively,

a load bearing loading member extending between and supported by saidsupporting members, said loading member having parts by which it issupported by said supporting members, said parts being formed to haverolling contact with said holding portions, and means acting betweensaid parts and said portions for securing said parts against rotationrelative to said portions so as to secure said loading member in adesired position of adjustment along said supporting members.

8. In a freight loading system for a freight car or other chamber, thecombination of a pair of supporting members spaced apart transversely tothe lengths thereof and having holding portions extending along thelengths thereof, respectively, a load bearing loading member extendingbetween and supported by said supporting members, said ment along atleast one line falling in a plane I parallel to the plane of thecorresponding car wall, each said supporting member comprising anoutwardly presenting channel portion, a holding member extending betweenand supported by the Number Name Date 1,049,655 Boiler et al. Jan. 7,1913 1,247,230 Daly Nov. 20, 1917 1,597,091 McMahan Aug. 24, 19262,007,514 Wilson et al July 9, 1935 2,091,869 McCurdy Aug. 31, 19372,137,979 Cooper Nov. 22, 1938 2,137,981 Nightingale Nov. 22, 19382,155,872 Reifer et a1 Apr. 25, 1939 2,165,376 Helmer July 11, 19392,165,652 Reifer et a1. July 11, 1939 2,336,440 Kass Dec. '7, 19432,354,861

loading member having parts by which it is supported by said supportingmembers, said parts being formed to have rolling contact with saidholding portions, and means acting between said parts and said portionsfor securing said parts against rotation relative to said portions so asto secure said loading member in a desired position of ad justment alongsaid supporting members, said holding portions constituting trackwayswithin which said parts are received for rolling engagement therewith.

' SULO M. NAMPA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Hermann Aug. 1, 1944 Certificate of CorrectionPatent No. 2,468,101. April 26,1949.

' SULO M. NAMPA .It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows:

Column 6, line 63, claim 3, for the wordc0nnecting read connection;

- and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of September, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

